Some designers still build sites the old way — using table-based
layouts with images that have been "sliced and diced." The problems
with sites developed using this method include:
- Site users face slower download speeds due to heavier use of images
versus text.
- The site is less likely to be linked or placed higher by search engines
as graphics with words on them are not as search-engine friendly as text.
- Newer web browsing devices such as cell phones and PDAs (Palm, Blackberry)
have trouble accessing these sites, especially when graphics are turned
off to allow for faster access. Most of these sites literally "fall
apart" and are unreadable in this situation.
- The sites are less accessible, if not unusable, for disabled users.
For these reasons and more, since 2003 we have been designing sites the
new way — using XHTML and cascading style sheets (CSS). It may take
a bit more effort, but we believe the benefits far outweigh the extra time
involved:
- Sites built with XHTML and CSS will function well into the future as
newer web browsers and mobile devices are adopted.
- With CSS, style sheets can be built to allow for unique printing formats
and custom views for web browsers on small-screen devices, such as cell
phones and PDAs.
- Search engines are more likely to place these sites higher in their
search results due to text-based design.
- To ensure that your site looks and functions well on the most commonly
used browsers, we thoroughly test all our sites on multiple web browsers
on both PC and Macintosh computers.
No matter who you choose to design your site, be sure you are only considering
designers who use XHTML + CSS and conduct thorough browser testing.